Life lessons from a Border Collie

This post was originally published at Patheos.com in June 2011.

Scout after an afternoon playing in the sprinkler and rolling in the dirt. (photo © 2011 Joanne Brokaw)

I was sitting on the floor in the lobby of the veterinarian’s office, blowing soap bubbles for my five-year-old Border Collie, Scout, while we waited for our medications after our consultation with a holistic veterinarian.

A woman sitting near us was watching as Scout happily pounced on the bubbles and then stared intently into my eyes as he waited for the next wave of the bubble wand. Chasing soap bubbles is one of Scout’s favorite things to do in life. (In fact, I just typed the word and he must have read it, because he popped up from his nap and he’s staring at me, waiting to see if we’re headed outside.)

Photos of Bailey and Daddy’s field trip

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David took  Bailey out today for some fresh air and exercise so Scout, Bandit and I could have a peaceful afternoon. I took Scout and Bandit for a walk to the library to return some books, and then left them home while I ran an errand. I confess: it was a relief to take those two without having to worry about Bailey home in a frenzy, and to not worry about the dogs fighting while I was gone.

Bandit’s chest is still really swollen, and I think the stress is taking its toll on Scout. So we just hung out and let everyone rest and have access to their favorite napping spots; Scout’s been blocked off from both my office and behind David’s recliner.

And while we were having a much needed, restful and tension-free day, Daddy and Bailey were having  super romp. They went to Mendon Ponds park, Ganandogan, and Hemlock Lake. I think they both needed some outdoor time; she’s never had an wildlife adventure like that.

So far, we’re still on eggshells. David has one more day of vacation, so tomorrow we’ll have another day keeping the dogs separated, and then on Wednesday  Bailey will begin boarding. We’re still checking a couple of places; I want her to be someplace where she’s not “in jail” but we also are really strained financially.

This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, dog-wise. Ranks right up there with making the decision to put Natasha to sleep after her battle with kidney failure. This time, though, Bailey is healthy and a wonderful dog with a serious challenge that makes it impossible to live with us. But she’s not impossible to live with the right home. In fact, the right home is going to be wonderful for both her and her new family.

Rehoming Bailey – knowing when it’s time to let go (with UPDATES)

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It is with a very, very heavy heart that I report that we’ve made the decision to find a new home for Bailey. It’s not because she’s a bad dog. It’s because she and Bandit are like oil and water, and it’s become very clear that they can’t live together in the same house peacefully or safely.

I’ve sat down a few times to tell the whole story of Bailey, but it’s too difficult to think about losing a member of our family, and to think about how confusing this must be for her. For now, I’ll just tell you about Bailey and what a great dog she is in the hopes that someone out there may need the loving canine companionship she can give.

A “hydrant” kind of day

Sometimes you know the minute you roll out of bed that it’s going to be “one of those days.” This morning, I should have stayed in bed.

Not that anything tragic or horrible happened. It was just one of those dreary, frustrating days when you’re reminded that sometimes you’re the dog and sometimes you’re the hydrant.

Today, I’m feeling like a hydrant.

It’s been a quiet week here at The Funny Farm

Oh look. Wildlife in suburbia. Isn't that special?

The last time I checked in, Scout had a bloody nose. I’m happy to report that that’s about the last excitement we’ve had here.

Well, that and the possum that was in the yard. That was pretty exciting. David took the dogs out late one night before we headed to bed, and there sitting on the top of the chicken coop was a possum. Pretty, isn’t he? I guess Bandit smelled him but never looked up so the dog’s didn’t actually see the critter. But for days they knew he was there, sniffing and following his trail.

We live in a village on a small lot; we’re literally feet from our neighbors. I have no idea what this possum was looking for or where he came from or where he’s going. Jim the dog catcher said it was probably looking for food; the chicken run is impenetrable, so he guessed this critter (and others like it) are snacking from the birdfeeders everyone has in their yards. Oh goodie.

It’s a water dog kind of day

Bandit playing in the sprinkler - also known as the "automatic water dogger."

It’s been a great day here at the Funny Farm. We played water dog this morning and no one was overly muddy. (Good grief, I love my new grass.) We took a super long nap when it looked like it might rain. (Which it didn’t.) My neighbor brought me over dinner last night, which I had tonight. (Thank you Anna!) And now David is cleaning the chicken coop while the dogs play in the sprinkler in the dwindling sunlight and Murphy and I snuggle at the kitchen table. (I wish I knew how to purr.)

Scout seems great; his poop is much better, he’s had an active, fun day. Tomorrow we see the canine oncologist and talk treatment and prognosis. If today was his last day, I think he’d leave this world one happy puppy. Water dog  can do that you you.

If it’s Friday, why does it still feel like Monday?

Yay! It’s Friday! But doggone it. It still feels like Monday.

For some reason, this week has flown by but I have very little to show for it. A migraine has been part of the problem; if I could just lie down and sleep for a few hours I might feel better. But Scout and Bandit – and Murphy, for that matter – are not cooperating. They all lie down and sleep, but the minute I sneak over to the couch and lie my head on the pillow, bam! They’re up and all over me.

And when I start to write? Murphy is all over the laptop. It’s not easy working with animals in the house. But I shouldn’t complain. I could be at a real job where they make me wear real clothes and do real work. I’ll take the dogs and cat. 

If it's Friday, why does it still feel like Monday?

Yay! It’s Friday! But doggone it. It still feels like Monday.

For some reason, this week has flown by but I have very little to show for it. A migraine has been part of the problem; if I could just lie down and sleep for a few hours I might feel better. But Scout and Bandit – and Murphy, for that matter – are not cooperating. They all lie down and sleep, but the minute I sneak over to the couch and lie my head on the pillow, bam! They’re up and all over me.

And when I start to write? Murphy is all over the laptop. It’s not easy working with animals in the house. But I shouldn’t complain. I could be at a real job where they make me wear real clothes and do real work. I’ll take the dogs and cat. 

Another day at the funny farm

I was sitting at my kitchen table, typing away on the laptop, when I looked over and saw that someone had tipped over the entire dog water bowl.

Murphy walked around in it for a minute, licked his paws and moved on. Bandit went in and stole a dish towel from the counter and fled the scene. Scout stayed hidden behind the recliner in the living room. And the water just kept creeping under the stove and fridge.

My normally filthy kitchen floor (and trust me, normal is pretty filthy) is worse today because Bandit raced around outside in the rain and mud and then tracked it all into the house. I don’t know which dog brought the basketball into the house, but it seems right at home in the kitchen. The cat has a scratching post and hiding spot in the kitchen because that’s where he sleeps at night.

In other words, just another day of organized chaos.

Vote for Scout and Bandit for Dogs of the Week

Scout and Bandit are in the running for  Dogs of the Week at the A Dog’s Purpose website.

The site promotes the new book “A Dog’s Life” by Bruce Cameron (of “8 Simple Rules” fame). I met Bruce at the Erma Bombeck Writing Conference a few years ago; I call him a writing friend. I’m sure he refers to me at that cuckoo from the conference.

In any event, I love Bruce’s writing – he’s very, very funny – and since he’s writing a novel about a dog, told by a dog, I have to jump up and down and tell you all about it.

So head over to the “A Dog’s Purpose” website and vote for Scout and Bandit. Make sure you give them 5 stars – that’ll keep their picture on the front page. And you can vote once every 24 hours.

If we win, I get a copy of Bruce’s new book, A Dog’s Purpose. Which I would buy anyway … and Bandit would eat.

But Bruce is also donating $65 to each week’s winner’s shelter of choice, which is likely enough to spay or neuter a dog.

And don’t forget to enter your dog into the photo contest, too!

Visit Bandit’s It’s A Dog’s Life blog, and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter.

BlogPaws, Day 2

Today was the full day of BlogPaws, and it was such a great event that it’s hard to remember that this is the first year. Sure, there are some things the conference coordinators can tweak for next year – like handing out a directory of attendees – but doggone it, this was a blast!

More than the seminars, the networking was incredible. I met some social media directors for websites looking for bloggers, and I met two magazine editors looking for writers. I chatted with the folks from Kodak and brainstormed with one of the reps about some fun ideas for a pet expo in Rochester. (Trust me, my brain is reeling with ideas!)

Anyway, I’m headed home tomorrow. I can’t wait to snuggle my puppies and kitty and see my chickens and my David and Cassie. I just hope I don’t spend 12 hours in the airport again!

I’ll post some more pics from Blogpaws later, but for now you can see a couple of updates I did on Bandit’s blog, It’s A Dog’s Life. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter!

Update from Day 1 of Blogpaws

Well, I made it to BlogPaws! TA DA!

It was an ordeal, that’s for sure.

2 AM – got up

2:45 AM – left to drive to Buffalo airport

3:05 AM – realized I forgot my cell phone and turned around and went home

3:25 AM – left house again to drive to Buffalo airport

4:30 AM – arrived Buffalo airport; wanted to get to gate early to be first on standby list

5 AM – ticket counter opens, I go through security, and go to gate

5:15 AM – am told that I will not make the 6:50 AM flight, but can possibly get on the 8:55 AM flight. I ask gate attendant if there will be a problem getting from Baltimore to Columbus, and she says I shouldn’t have any problem. I eat breakfast and take a 45 minute nap.

9:50 AM – finally get to Baltimore, and am told every flight today is oversold, and because I am a low priority standby the chances I will get on a flight are zero. Options? Fly back to Buffalo and drive; fly through Nashville and get in to Columbus at 10 PM; wait and see what happens and if nothing comes up, leave on the 6 AM flight on Saturday.

9:50 Am – 10: 30 AM – tearful calls to my sister and husband to try and figure out what I should do. Tearful pleas with ticket agent to ask what she thinks I should do.

11 AM – decide to wait it out.

12:30 PM – just for kicks, ask the ticket person to see if anything has changed, and viola! There is an open seat for sale on the 4:55 PM flight. Price $150, but I will be guaranteed to get in tonight. I pay.

6:15 PM – land in Columbus, more than 12 hours after I first arrived at the airport. I fall sleep before plane is even off the ground, which is good because apparently the guy behind me talked non stop the entire time. I mean, non stop. He must have spoke 100,000 words just from when I woke up until we landed. If I had not slept, I might have had to slap him. Get luggage, find a cab, and pay a ridiculously high $35 fare to get to the hotel.

6:30 PM – check in, get my goodie bag, clean up, change, brush my teeth, and head to the reception, which started at 6 PM

7 PM – 8: 30 PM – mill around, chat with people, eat a couple of hors doerves, get more free stuff.

9 PM – shower, get into jammies, eat some grapes and apples I carted along, call home to check on puppies and family (chickens laid 4 eggs today!), and update blogs.

I’m EXHAUSTED. I’m making tea, going to read and then hit the bed, which looks extremely comfy.  This conference looks like it’s going to be a nice networking opportunity. I’ve been talking to my editor at Beliefnet, because they’re looking for a pet blogger and I reeeeaaaaallllyy want the job. So I hope to head home with enough story ideas to convince the pet editor that I’m the girl for the job!

I’ll give you another update tomorrow! You can also check out Scout and Bandit’s “It’s A Dog’s Life” blog to see what the pups are up to while I’m gone!

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter!

Scout is a star at the credit union

Scout came with me to the credit union today and he was a big hit. He and Bandit take turns going, when I feel like bringing a dog. Last time Bandit came I took a pic of him at the counter and posted it, so today I did the same with Scout. Then one of the managers wanted to know if he’s pose for a pic with the big manager, which he did, and then they thought it would be fun to get him to post at the desk.

Seed, sod and growing grass

I called Batavia Turf Farms today to see how much it would cost put down sod instead of planting grass. Just for kicks.

The guy from the lawn company yesterday estimated it would cost about $260 to prepare the soil and seed the lawn, plus another cost for a soil test and fertilizer, which would add about $40. Then he wants us to aerate the lawn in the summer ($150) and sign up for the 5 step lawn care ($190 year).

Sod is 30 cents a square foot delivered, and 26 cents a square foot if we  pick it up. We’d need to rototill the yard and put down fertilizer ourselves.

The girl at Batavia estimated we’d need about 1200 sq. ft, and if we picked it up that’d be about $312. Delivery minimum is 1400 sq. ft, for a cost of $420.

About the same cost, a little more labor for us, but we’d have grass right away that we could walk on the next day and run on in a week or so.  As opposed to seed, which would require us staying off of it for 6 weeks.

The sod is the grass that they lay on athletic fields so there isn’t worry about the dogs running on it. The shade is more likely the problem. But either way we’d have to deal with that.

So there you go – another option for grass.

No grass at the Funny Farm

As you can see in this photo, there’s one thing we lack here at The Funny Farm: grass.

Even before Bandit came to live with us, we’ve had problems growing grass in the backyard. And now with two dogs running around back there it’s just hard, packed dirt. (That’s our neighbor’s yard and pool; I told you were were on top of each other in this village!)

So today I had a guy from a lawn company come out to give us a quote on putting in the lawn and then maintaining it to make sure we have grass. Yeesh. We’re talking $260 to get the lawn ready and put in the grass seed, and then $190 for them to come out five times a year and maintain it. It’s all organic, pet friendly products, but we still would need to keep the dogs off for 6 weeks.

We need grass. It’s impossible to sit outside in the summer; the dirt just blows around. My office is always covered in a layer of dirt because I leave the windows open for the cat.

We’ve tried to put in grass ourselves, but it just hasn’t worked. So I don’t know what to do next. I wonder if they could just lay sod and get it over with more quickly?